So much to tell
At the end of a happy day.
Helen I spent a few delightful hours grocery shopping together this morning and we discussed a wide range of topics including why groceries put dye in meats to make them look more appealing, the lack of meaning in the word natural on foods, how to calculate the cost per ounce of various foods so as to compare prices when the package quantity varies, the danger of the impulse buy and the science of marketing which promotes such purchases, how to determine whether a jug of fruit juice actually has much juice in it, etc. It certainly wasn't my intent to convey to Helen that the grocer is dishonest--I'd have said the opposite about our local Hy-vee store if she'd asked--but that was the language she used to describe her conclusion at the end of our shopping tour. Along the way Helen helped me avoid spending $150 on a piece of electronic equipment she was sure our family didn't really need, consented that an unplanned purchase of beer was not all that bad, and selected an assortment of flowers for bouquet she was pleased to present to her mother on arriving home. She had been bashful about asking the florist to arrange the flowers for us, but did so with some encouragement. She had a nice chat with the lady at the counter and came away feeling much more confident about speaking to strangers. As we loaded groceries into the car I shared with her that I worked with a man who I thought to be one of the most friendly, charming fellows I'd ever met and once remarked to him that I was impressed with his ability to put people at ease. He responded by saying that it didn't come naturally to him at all--which really shocked me--but that he had realized that being personable was an important skill and that he worked very hard at hit. The exchange impressed me and now Helen who was visibly resolved to make further strides to cultivate an affable nature.
Upon returning home and stowing our foodstuffs--Johann David Wyss our companion for bedtime reading is rubbing off--the children and I enjoyed a game of Carcassonne, loaned by our favorite Uncle Dave.
Photos forthcoming.
Helen I spent a few delightful hours grocery shopping together this morning and we discussed a wide range of topics including why groceries put dye in meats to make them look more appealing, the lack of meaning in the word natural on foods, how to calculate the cost per ounce of various foods so as to compare prices when the package quantity varies, the danger of the impulse buy and the science of marketing which promotes such purchases, how to determine whether a jug of fruit juice actually has much juice in it, etc. It certainly wasn't my intent to convey to Helen that the grocer is dishonest--I'd have said the opposite about our local Hy-vee store if she'd asked--but that was the language she used to describe her conclusion at the end of our shopping tour. Along the way Helen helped me avoid spending $150 on a piece of electronic equipment she was sure our family didn't really need, consented that an unplanned purchase of beer was not all that bad, and selected an assortment of flowers for bouquet she was pleased to present to her mother on arriving home. She had been bashful about asking the florist to arrange the flowers for us, but did so with some encouragement. She had a nice chat with the lady at the counter and came away feeling much more confident about speaking to strangers. As we loaded groceries into the car I shared with her that I worked with a man who I thought to be one of the most friendly, charming fellows I'd ever met and once remarked to him that I was impressed with his ability to put people at ease. He responded by saying that it didn't come naturally to him at all--which really shocked me--but that he had realized that being personable was an important skill and that he worked very hard at hit. The exchange impressed me and now Helen who was visibly resolved to make further strides to cultivate an affable nature.
Upon returning home and stowing our foodstuffs--Johann David Wyss our companion for bedtime reading is rubbing off--the children and I enjoyed a game of Carcassonne, loaned by our favorite Uncle Dave.
Photos forthcoming.
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